Athletic have now confirmed that Llorente is in talks with Juve over a move to the Turin club when his current deal with Marcelo Bielsa's side expires at the end of the current season.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Juventus football club have contacted Athletic Bilbao on January 3, 2013 to confirm that when Fernando Llorente completes his time with our club on June 30 2013, they will begin negotiations with the player to incorporate him into their squad."